Box and various length rods having length indicia

ABSTRACT

A game comprising a box-like housing having a substantial amount of interior open area opening through a plurality of equal sized apertures in a wall thereof and a plurality of rods of identical cross sectional shape projecting one through each aperture from the outside of the housing into the open area, the rods having identical heads mounted on their outer ends but being of various lengths and each having length indicating indicia spaced therealong.

United States Patent [191 Norvitch [451 June 11, 1974 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 201,084 7/1923 Great Britain 273/131 AC Primary ExaminerAnton O. Oechsle Assistant Examiner--Arnold W. Kramer Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Carlsen, Carlsen & Sturm [57] ABSTRACT A game comprising a box-like housing having a substantial amount of interior open area opening through a plurality of equal sized apertures in a wall thereof and a plurality of rods of identical cross sectional shape projecting one through each aperture from the outside of the housing into the open area, the rods having identical heads mounted on their outer ends but being of various lengths and each having length indicating indicia spaced therealong.

1 Claim, 3 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJUN 1 1 I974 38 1591 8 BOX AND VARIOUS LENGTH RODS HAVING LENGTH INDICIA BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to games of chance wherein victory in playing the game is determined by a combination of a players good luck and his ability to recall the results of previous plays made during the game made by himself as well as the other player or players in the game.

The closest prior art known to the applicant is US. Pat. No. 2,299,803, which involves a substantially different chance factor than the present game.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a game where chance is the major factor in the initial stages of play of the game but whereas the play of the game progresses the chance factor becomes somewhat demoted in importance and the players ability to remember the results of earlier plays increases in importance.

Another object of the invention is to provide a gam wherein a plurality of counting rods of varying lengths are positioned within a box for selective withdrawal therefrom by the players with the one most accurately guessing the length of the rod obtaining the most points.

With these and other objects in view the invention broadly comprises providing a box with at least one wall having a plurality of apertures therein for receiving a plurality of rods of equal cross sectional shape and size and having identical heads, the rods, however, being of varying length and having length indicating indicia thereon, and said rods being firmly but slideably held in said apertures in such a manner that a person withdrawing a rodfrom the box cannot physically sense the length of the rod during such withdrawal.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OFiTHE DRAWING DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now more particularly to the drawing reference numerals will be used to denote like parts or structural features in the different views. The box is denoted generally by the number 10. The box is here shown as having a cubical shape with several rows of holes 11 drilled to extend downwardly through the box and open through the top wall 12 thereof. It will be understood, however, that the box may take various shapes and that it could be hollow with apertures in the top wall serving the purpose of the holes 11.

A counting rod 14 is provided for each hole 11. These rods are round in cross section so as to fit snugly but slidably within the holes 11 and each has a head 15 at one end which is larger than the hole. Rods 14 are of various lengths as shown in FIG. 2 and each has counting marks such as 16 equidistantly spaced therealong to provide counting units. The marks 16 are numbered progressively in a direction away from the head In the particular form of the invention shown in the drawing there are 25 counting rods provided having from I to II counting units. FIG. 3 shows the longest counting rod with l 1 units while FIG. 2 shows rods having respectively from left to right eight, 10, one, six and nine counting units.

Below each counting mark I6 as the rod 14 is viewed in upright position an intermediate or warning mark 17 is provided. The purpose of this mark will be subsequently explained.

It is important that the counting rods 14 have a rather snug sliding fit within the openings 11 whether they be drilled in the box 10 as shown or whether they be apertures in the top wall 12 of a hollow box 10. This fit is such that when a counting rod 14 is'pulled upwardly from the box to a partially withdrawn position, such as the rods denoted at A in FIG. 1 and B in FIG. 2, the rod will be frictionally retained in such position when manually. released.

Rows of scorekeeping holes 18 similar to those on a cribbage board may be drilled in opposite sides of the top wall 12 of the box. I

Play of the game is initiated by full insertion of all of the counting rods 14 into the openings 11 of the box 10 so that the counting rod heads 15 rest flush against the top wall 12. Initial insertion of rods 14 is preferably made by a non-player out of sight of the players. If there is no non-player available the players may randomly insert the rods by feel with the eyes closed intermittently rotating the box 10 between counting rod insertions so that it is not possible for the players to recell precise placement of any of the rods.

The first player selects a counting rod and grasps the head I5 thereof and pulls it upwardly as far as he thinks that he might go without actually withdrawing the rod from box 10. If for example he pulls the selected rod to the position of rod B in FIG. 2 where counting mark No. 7 is exposed and stops, he may count seven points. If in pulling a rod the next warning mark 17 is exposed, the rod must be lifted to the next counting mark. If the rod is pulled out of the box the player scores zero.

When a player decides that he does not wish to lift a rod beyond a certain counting mark, he takes his score and then his opponent may elect to continue to lift the same rod. For example, if the first player lifts the counting rod B in FIG. 2 to the position shown in FIG. 2, his opponent then has the opportunity to lift the rod further to gain eight or more points. However, if in making such attempt he should withdraw the rod from the box he is penalized the number of points earned by the first player. Actually the play may alternate from player to player on the same counting rod until neither player desires to lift that particular rod any further or until the rod is withdrawn from the box.

When play is terminated with respect to any rod or it is withdrawn, the rod is deposited in a place where it can no longer be observed. The players then go on to the remaining counting rods, pulling them from the box 10, with the same procedure until all of the rods have been withdrawn from the box. The players or teams of players may keep their respective scores by moving pegs along the rows of holes 18.

space,

d. each rod having a head on its upper end adapted to engage against the top wall when the rod is fully inserted downwardly into the box and having length indicating markings spaced along the rod progressively in a direction away from the head, and

e. each of the rods having a tight sliding fit within the aperture through which it extends whereby the rod will stay in any manually adjusted longitudinal position in the aperture through which it extends. 

1. In a game, a. a box having a top wall, b. said top wall having a plurality of apertures therein with open space thereunder within the box, c. a plurality of rods of various lengths extending downwardly through said apertures into said open space, d. each rod having a head on its upper end adapted to engage against the top wall when the rod is fully inserted downwardly into the box and having length indicating markings spaced along the rod progressively in a direction away from the head, and e. each of the rods having a tight sliding fit within the aperture through which it extends whereby the rod will stay in any manually adjusted longitudinal position in the aperture through which it extends. 